Sunday, December 19, 2010

Dallas Comeback Foils Minnesota Preseason Perfection

By Ross Everett


For the first half of their NFL preseason contest against the Dallas Cowboys it looked like the Minnesota Vikings would wrap up exhibition play with a perfect record. After spotting Dallas the first 7 points of the game, the Vikings scored three unanswered touchdowns to head to the locker room at halftime with a 21-7 advantage. After the break, however, Dallas reserves took over the game and rallied with 28 second half points. When the smoke cleared, Dallas had beaten Minnesota 35-31 to spoil their undefeated preseason record. The Vikings would slip to 3-1 in preseason play while Dallas evened their exhibition mark at 2-2.

Minnesota had been set as a -3 home favorite, so NFL bettors who favored the Cowboys cashed their tickets with the outright victory. The two offenses were working overtime, eventually putting a combined 66 points on the scoreboard sending the total OVER the posted 35' number.

Vikings coach Josh Childress wasnt happy that his team blew a big lead at home and blamed his quarterbacks:

"At times it was embarrassing. I'll end up putting that on myself, not having them ready to come out of the locker room at halftime. All the quarterbacks I've ever coached have some regard for the football and you can't throw it to them."

Sage Rosenfelds and John David Booty were the real targets of Chidress ire, with each throwing a second half interception that helped facilitate the Cowboys comeback. Tavaris Jackson didnt throw an interception and that may have been enough to secure one of the two roster spots backing up starting QB Brett Favre. After the game, Jackson talked about his situation:

"I'd love to be here, it's the only thing I know and I've been here for going on my fourth year. If I stay here, I'd love it. But I understand that it's a business. I'm not going be mad or cry over spilled milk, I'm just going to move on."

Rosenfelds accepted the blame for his interception:

"It always seems like you want to take back one play and I wish I could take that one back. It was just a bad play by me. I felt real comfortable out there and I thought I did a pretty good job executing the offense other than that one play. I'm going to keep firing and that's what I did.

Dallas' Pat Watkins may have earned a roster spot with his all around effort. Playing on defense and special teams, he made several key tackles, returned an interception for a touchdown and blocked a field goal. He said that text messages from well wishers served as motivation:

"I had a feeling like I was going to have a good game, and I had a couple people send me text messages with predictions. Someone predicted six tackles and an interception. Somebody else predicted eight tackles. So after that maybe I need more predictions to help me out."

The Vikings will open the season on the road against the Cleveland Browns. Dallas will start their 2009 NFL campaign on the road as well, playing at Tampa Bay. Dallas will host the New York Giants in their second game, while the Vikings will head to Detroit's Ford Field for a week 2 game against the Lions.




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